Lecture Notes: Chuck Close's "Note to Self"

Introduction

• Topic: Chuck Close's letter of advice to his younger self as part of "Note to Self" series.
• Background: Chuck Close is a renowned portrait painter known for overcoming major personal challenges.
  • Challenges: Learning disabilities, face blindness, paralysis.

Chuck Close's Early Life

• Age 14 Experience: Told not to consider college due to academic struggles.
  • Struggles: Difficulty with basic math, advised against advanced subjects.
• Advice Given: Suggested to pursue trade school due to being good with hands.

Career Path and Philosophy

• College Entry: Enrolled in junior college with open enrollment, began a career in visual arts.
• Influences: Learning disabilities influenced his work.
  • Face Blindness: Paints portraits to commit faces to memory.

Lessons and Advice

• Persistence: Emphasizes showing up and working hard as more important than inspiration.
  • "Inspiration is for amateurs."
• Process Over Perfection: Focus on the process, not on inventing something new every day.
• Mentorship: Importance of mentors and feeling special, even in failure.

Personal Tragedies and Resilience

• Father's Death: Lost father at age 11, considered a significant life tragedy.
  • Learning from Tragedy: Taught him resilience and acceptance of adversity.
• Paralysis: Became a quadriplegic later in life, learned to cope by breaking problems into smaller parts.

Perspective on Life and Art

• Comparison: Quadraplegics envy paraplegics, showing perspective.
• Pleasure in Art: Believes no artist enjoys their work as much as he does.

Conclusion

• Reflection on Series: The "Note to Self" series highlights remarkable people in their own words.
• Impact of Story: Close's story is one of turning setbacks into motivation and success.
• Key Takeaway: Everyone needs to feel special and can overcome perceived limitations with support and perseverance.